“I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’” – Isaiah 51:16

In April 2014, the group Planetshakers released their hit worship song ‘Covered by Your Grace’ at the Awakening Conference held in Australia.i

It is one of my best worship songs from the past decade.

The chorus says:

“No matter what I’ve done
No matter where I’ve been
No matter how I fall
You pick me up again
You have removed my shame
You take me as I am
You call me justified
Now I am covered by Your Grace.”

These words make an excellent summary of the full meaning of the concept of ‘covered’ both in the Scriptures and in contemporary use.

The dictionary definition of ‘cover’ is to put something on top of or in front of something in order to protect or conceal it.

‘Cover’ is also a military term. A ‘cover force’ is a self-contained force that operates independently, which engages with enemy forces with the aim of making it easier for the main force to gain the upper hand or to capture territory.

It may also mean to fire in the direction of an enemy in order to allow your comrades break into the enemy’s defensive lines.

Today, God covers you to enable you live a successful Christian life. You cannot be caught out of position because Christ has covered you.

In sports such as football, to ‘cover’ someone means to support a teammate by taking a defensive position against an opponent who has the ball so that your teammate is not caught out of position if the ball is passed to another opponent in an attacking position.

In our meditation today, God says; “I have covered you with the shadow of My Hand.” Of course that particular verse has several other revelations some of which I will expound later in the year. 

Additionally, ‘cover’ also carries other biblical connotations.

In Psalm 85:2, the psalmist says; “You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin.” That means the sins became nonexistent.

In Romans 4:7-8, Paul quotes David in another Psalm saying; “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”

In this context, ‘cover’ connotes the action of making sin of no effect or consequence.  

‘Cover’ also alludes to putting a cloth on someone in order to cover their shame, which is exactly what Christ’s righteousness has done for us; His shame became our honour.

When you’re covered by His Blood and by the garment of His righteousness, you’re safe.

Today, God covers you to enable you live a successful Christian life. You cannot be caught out of position because Christ has covered you.

Whatever the need; whichever enemy is arrayed against us, God has us covered to enable us to capture territory. Hallelujah!

Prayer:
Almighty God, thank you that I am covered. This will always be the source of my confidence, to know that I am covered by your Grace. Amen!